MLB Signs Streaming Deals with Netflix, ESPN & NBCUniversal

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MLB Signs Streaming Deals with Netflix, ESPN & NBCUniversal

Major League Baseball (MLB) has entered a new media era. The league announced three-year streaming and broadcast deals with Netflix, ESPN, and NBCUniversal, reshaping how fans will watch the sport from 2026 through 2028.

MLB, Netflix, ESPN & NBCUniversal: New Streaming Partnership Details

Following a 2025 season with record viewership gains, including the most-watched postseason in eight years and the most-watched Game 7 in 34 years, MLB confirmed new three-year agreements with Netflix, NBCUniversal, and ESPN. The deals will cover the 2026-2028 seasons and expand the league’s reach across major streaming platforms.

Under these agreements, MLB strengthens its longstanding relationship with ESPN, extending the partnership to 39 consecutive seasons. Meanwhile, NBC returns to airing regular MLB games on its broadcast network for the first time in 25 years. 

At the same time, Netflix expands its engagement with MLB by moving beyond documentaries into live baseball event coverage for the first time.

These deals significantly reshape baseball’s national broadcast schedule. Sunday Night Baseball will shift from ESPN, where it has aired since 1990, to NBCUniversal. 

NBCUniversal also secured Sunday Leadoff and the Wild Card Series, which will air on NBC and Peacock. Additionally, NBC and Peacock will feature select Opening Day and holiday matchups.

Meanwhile, Netflix’s involvement includes the T-Mobile Home Run Derby, an exclusive Opening Night matchup, and multiple special-event games. These include the 2026 MLB at Field of Dreams Game and international content such as the World Baseball Classic in Japan.

ESPN will retain a national midweek game package throughout the season. It will also acquire the rights to sell MLB.TV, MLB’s out-of-market streaming service. MLB.TV set a record in 2025 with 19.4 billion minutes watched, underscoring fans’ growing shift to streaming.

Why These Deals Matter for MLB

Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. said the new media agreements create a major chance for MLB to expand its reach. He noted that ESPN, NBCUniversal, and Netflix each provide powerful platforms for live sports, entertainment, and major events. 

Manfred added that the partnerships build on strong league momentum after a World Series game that drew more than 51 million global viewers.

He emphasized that MLB continues to benefit from generational stars who set new standards for performance. Moreover, he stated that recent rule changes have improved on-field action. 

He also highlighted increases across key fan engagement metrics, including viewership, attendance, participation, and social media consumption.

How Bettors Can Take Advantage of These Streaming Deals

Bettors can immediately benefit from the increased availability of live games across Netflix, ESPN, and Peacock. With more national broadcasts, viewers gain easier access to real-time analytics, commentary, and pre-game details. These insights help bettors refine MLB odds evaluations and improve MLB picks strategies.

Furthermore, Betting News’ MLB coverage will be more extensive thanks to more televised matchups and clearer data flows. Bettors can track trends, analyze team performance more accurately, and react to live information faster. 

As streaming platforms highlight advanced stats and in-game metrics, bettors can use these tools to identify hidden value in MLB odds and boost their overall picks strategy.